Sustainability at Concordia just reached new heights! The university's latest achievement a Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) gold rating cements its place as one of Canada's most environmentally and socially responsible institutions.
Concordia is the first university in the country to achieve gold under the rigorous STARS 3.0 level, an achievement that reflects years of progress and an unwavering commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.
While institutions can still opt for the less stringent STARS 2.2 standards, Concordia chose to challenge itself and set a higher benchmark.
"We knew 3.0 would be more demanding, but we also knew Concordia has made great strides in recent years," says Manon Raby, STARS coordinator at the Office of Sustainability. "This achievement demonstrates our significant progress and shows that we're ready to meet higher expectations."
What is STARS 3.0?
STARS is administered by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), which evaluates institutions on a range of sustainability metrics.
Under the 3.0 level, STARS has introduced a broader and more inclusive framework, incorporating stronger indicators of racial equity and social justice. The updated standard also simplifies some credits while emphasizing measurable performance in curriculum, research engagement and operations.
Raby notes that Concordia earned STARS gold thanks to a collective effort across departments and key university sectors.
"It took months of collaboration and dedication to get to this result," Raby says. "From operational improvements in every sector to the arduous process of data collection, it was truly a university-wide effort."
Initiatives from Concordia's Sustainability Action Plan, launched in 2020, made a significant impact on the university's strong performance.
The Sustainability in Curriculum Plan contributed directly to earning three points for supporting academic staff in integrating sustainability into coursework. Additionally, efforts under the Climate Action Plan and Sustainability in Research Plan encouraged the Concordia community to explore alternatives to air travel for business and research, securing two points in the STARS assessment.
Campus engagement and research
Much like when Concordia achieved STARS gold at the 2.2 level in 2022, the university excelled in the campus engagement category, earning near-perfect scores.
Programs like the Student Sustainability Ambassadors Program, which empowers students to lead sustainability initiatives, and the Climate Emergency Committee, which advocates for climate-conscious policies, played a key role.
Campus Sustainability Month, a university-wide effort promoting sustainability awareness, was another major contributor.
"What really stood out in our assessment was the dedication of students, faculty and staff pushing for change," Raby says. "These initiatives raise awareness and drive the university to make impactful transitions in its sustainability practices."
The university also received top marks in sustainability research, highlighting its commitment to advancing knowledge in environmental and social sustainability.
The Next-Generation Cities Institute, Volt-Age and the Centre for Zero Energy Building Studies were key contributors, driving research in sustainable urban development and energy efficiency.
"Our research community is at the forefront of sustainability innovation," Raby says. "From engineering to urban planning, the work being done here is driving practical solutions that make a lasting impact."
A commitment to growth
While celebrating this milestone, Concordia is also looking ahead. Certain areas face ongoing challenges due to external regulations and financial constraints. However, Raby sees the STARS process as a tool for continuous improvement.
And as the first Canadian university to earn STARS gold under the 3.0 framework, Concordia is setting a new standard for other institutions to follow.
"This distinction reinforces our commitment to leading sustainability efforts in higher education," says Michael Di Grappa, vice-president of services and sustainability. "We will continue pushing boundaries and driving innovation in the years ahead."
Explore Concordia's ongoing sustainability initiatives by visiting the Sustainability Hub.
